Rule Of Law In Turkey?

The Muslim nation of Turkey for years has been held up as a model Muslim society in which those who are secular Muslims or of another religion can live in peace and harmony without worrying about their divergence from a more orthodox religious viewpoint. Under leadership of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, the Justice and Development Party has modeled an image of acceptance of diversity of religious and political viewpoints. However, during the past several months, Prime Minister Erdogan has unleashed a campaign of hatred toward those in the police or judiciary who seek to uncover corruption in his administration. In particular, he charges that members of the judiciary and police who are linked with the ideas of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen are engaged in a campaign to bring down his government by raising issues of corruption.

Mustafa Yesil, speaking for a group of Turkish journalists,urged President Gul to reign in his prime minister and compel the government to “observe the duty to protect the constitutional order, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and order from being put to risk.” They believe it is time for free journalists who have been imprisoned and end the “lynch law” attitude of Erdogan against those who oppose him.